Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Retinochoroiditis Caused by <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em>

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate which risk factors contribute directly or indirectly to Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. &#x0D; Methods: Between 2018-2020, a total of 306 patients were selected, and treated at the Retinology Outpatient Clinic of the Specialty Hospital of Sāo José do Rio Preto, in the state of São Paulo. After the fundoscopy test, the Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) was used to determine IgG and IgM class anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. &#x0D; Results: The results showed that individuals aged 60 years or older, and women who had a previous pregnancy, (p=0.000, OR= 8.137 and 95 % CI = 2.562 – 25.844), (p=0.016, OR= 7.395 and CI 95 % = 1,449 – 37,725) respectively, were 48.6 % more likely to develop ocular toxoplasmosis. &#x0D; Conclusion: In this way, previous pregnancy is a risk factor for the reactivation of toxoplasma, as well as for the generation of retinochoroiditis in previously infected women.